Department of the Treasury, United States Secret Service (USSS), Procurement Division, 950 H Street, NW, Suite 6200, Washington, DC, 20001-4518

R -- INTERPRETING SERVICES FOR DEAF/HARD-OF HEARING SOL USSS990048 DUE 090299 POC Renea Morton, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 406-6940, Fax (202) 406-6801, Email None WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&;ProjID=USSS990048&Lo cID=38. E-MAIL: Renea Morton, None. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION: PROPOSALS ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. Solicitation number USSS990048 is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular No. 97-12. This action is a 100% small business set-aside. The associated SIC Code is 7389; and the small business standard is $5.0 million over the last three (3) years. The U. S. Secret Service has a requirement for on-call interpreter(s) for deaf/hard-of-hearing employees. It is essential for a sign language interpreter to be on the premises on a part-time basis to meet deaf/hard-of-hearing employees needs. QUALIFICATIONS -- Interpreter(s) must be qualified*/Certified members in good standing of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). These individuals must demonstrate high competence in and knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) manually coded English and Pidgin Signed English (PSE). Interpreters must possess knowledge of Deaf Community and Deaf Culture; telecommunication devices for the Deaf (TTY); and regulations set forth in Sections 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. In addition, they must have obtained education from an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) and have at least three (3) years of interpreting experience. Contractor shall submit individual interpreter resume and a copy of a RID certificate with their proposal. Failure to submit these items will deem the proposed contractor non-responsive and the offer will be rejected. *The deaf/hard-of-hearing staff and/or the Federal Interpreters Interagency Council staff, in conjunction with the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, will determine qualifications. CLEARANCE -- The interpreter must have, or be willing to be investigated for a Top Secret security clearance. SCOPE OF WORK -- The contractor shall provide Sign Language Interpreting services Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The services provided shall be professional in nature and shall be done according to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics. Under no circumstances shall the contractor/interpreter represent the USSS or act as an official spokesperson on behalf of the agency. USSS will provide necessary equipment and supplies needed for performance of duties to include: an office with a desk, a telephone to include Voice/TTY answering machines and access to e-mail. The contractor will provide the services to complete the tasks required by the contract. The contractor will be responsible for providing a replacement interpreter on the days when the primary interpreter is unable to provide services to USSS. This will include sick and vacation days. In such situations, payment of the replacement interpreter will be the responsibility of the contractor. The substituting interpreter must be RID certified and qualified. The contractor will not be paid for Federal holidays that fall within their regular scheduled days, for days the Government closes for inclement weather, or for days that all Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees are out and the contractor has been provided a 48-hour notice. Some training/functions for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees may require two (2) additional interpreters; however, notice will be given if and when there is a need. The interpreter will strive to provide and maintain satisfactory services to the Deaf/Hard of-Hearing employees on the job. This includes being open and responsive to the needs and suggestions of those to whom the services are being provided. In a meeting situation where the interpreter is required to participate, a neutral interpreter must be present. For example, if there is a meeting regarding the performance of a particular interpreter with a Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employee and both parties are present, then a neutral interpreter should interpret that meeting. MAJOR DUTIES-(1) interprets spoken English into appropriate form of communication (American Sign Language or manually codes English) for the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees, applicants and visitors. (2) Voices from American Sign Language (ASL) or manually coded English into spoken English for hearing employees or visitors who are not familiar with sign language. (3) Interprets in all settings where services are required. Situations, may include: performance appraisals; training classes; non-captioned video tapes; one-on-one meetings with supervisors, managers and employees; staff meetings; interviews; and USSS or Department of Treasury ceremonies. Note: interpreter will sometimes be videotaped at ceremonies or training sites. (4) Video remote interpreting service shall be provided on an as needed basis. Contractor shall provide a rate for video remote services prior to providing video remote interpreting services. (5) Demonstrates adherence to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Ethics. (6) Provides advice to manager/supervisors concerning the profession of sign language interpreting. (7) Maintains involvement in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and other professionally related organizations and/or training programs. (8) Informs the USSS Contracting Officer 's Technical Representative (COTR) of any issues of concern such as those relating to the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing personnel, scheduling, assistive devices, etc. (9) Works closely with the USSS COTR concerning scheduling and/or matters relating to the provisions for services at USSS. (10) Maintains professional conduct, dress and manner. GUIDELINES-These consist of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Ethics, the operational policies of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the regulations set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS-The contractor shall be required to provide services to the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees located at USSS Headquarters, located in Northwest Washington, DC. The contractor/interpreter must be willing to travel to other sites within the Washington, DC metropolitan area as needed to include 1310 L Street, NW, and the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD. Local travel, within the Washington, DC metropolitan area, shall be the responsibility of the contractor. If needed, travel outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area will be made in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. WORK ENVIRONMENT-Work shall be performed in an office setting, meeting room, and/or auditorium. The demands of the services may require the contractor to provide long hours of services to the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees, sometimes standing without a break. EVALUATION PROCEDURES-The Government will award a contract/purchase order resulting fromthis solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Government, technical proposal, panel interview and price considered. Price proposal shall include a rate for one (1) regularly scheduled interpreter every Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Total of eight (8) hours billable per day. Estimated billable hours equals 832. Also price proposal shall include a rate for supplemental interpreting services for occasions requiring at least one (1) interpreter, between the hous of 8:00 AM and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Estimated billable hours equals 152. Technical proposal, to include a capability statement, will be evaluated on a pass/fail system based on information in your proposal that addresses the requirements of this RFP and that offers the greatest value to the government. At a minimum your capability statement must include: 1) key personnel (those who would have primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the effort) with their qualifications and specific experience; 2) your organizational experience; 3) specific references (including contract number and project description, period of performance, dollar amount, client identification with point of contact and telephone) for previous work of this or similar nature that your key personnel or organization have performed within the last two years. (References will be checked); 4) Business Size: 5) Payment Terms; 6) Dun's Number; 7) Federal Tax I.D Number; 8) Top Secret Security Clearance, Yes/No. A panel interview will be held with prospective bidders whose offer is determined to be in a competitive range for award. Panel Interview will be scheduled between September 13-24, 1999. Primary interpreter, individual that will be providing services, must attend panel interview; it is desired that alternate/backup interpreter also be present. Primary interpreter and alternate/backup interpreter must bring RID card to the panel interview. Panel interview will be evaluated on a pass/fail system based on the following criteria: The primary interpreter will be asked to sign a paragraph in ASL; sign a paragraph read by a hearing person; interpret a paragraph signed by a Deaf person; asked questions about interpreting experience; asked questions regarding knowledge and training. A firm-fixed price contract is anticipated for the 12-month period October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000 with two (2) one-year renewal options. All responsible, small business sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the USSS. The Government reserves the right to accept an offer based solely on written material without panel interview The following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Clauses are applicable unless otherwise noted: FAR Part 52.212-1, 52.212-3, 52.212-4; 52.212-5. Offerors must also include a signed copy of the Representations and Certifications with their offers. Copies of the Representations and Certifications are available on-line. Offerors may view FAR provisions and clauses by visiting www.arnet.gov/far. Offers are due by September 2, 1999, 4:30 PM, local time. Offers shall be mailed to the following address: U. S. Secret Service, 950 H Street, NW, Suite 6200, Washington, DC 20001, ATTN: Renea Morton. Faxed proposals are not acceptable. See Note No. 1. Posted 08/19/99 (D-SN370104). (0231)

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